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Patrick McIvor

As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, the former Color Director for Nick Arrojo and Rodney Culter in NYC, is a cultural junkie inspired by international cosmopolitan influences from fashion and global trends to technology. He specializes in social media and salonable haircolor, and creates new experiential educational formats highlighting technology, technique and culture. The ideas he shares with stylists build business and connects them with community so they can “Take Back The Social Network.”

Throughout my career, salon professionals often ask me for advice on how to be a platform artist who also teaches and gets to do editorial work too, while also being able to work in the salon!! And, I always joke with them that they want the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket…the magic ticket that opens up the world that can change your life forever, if you do all the right things. Well I just got out of a meeting, and for the first time I think I found the Golden Ticket for those who are willing to work hard enough and really truly want a whole new world of opportunity.

There is a systemic problem in our industry, and honestly much of our society at this point, but it always seems to be prevalent in our industry. Whenever it seems we need something to better ourselves, buy new tools or if an unexpected expense occurs, we don't have the money we need.

It’s funny how percentages affect our lives. You can be president of our country with less than 50% off the votes, casinos make millions off just small percentages, and so do Visa and Master Card, and when you play the percentages long term you always win. It’s even funnier to realize how much percentages affect our professional lives.

Business today is tough, as it’s always been. We used to think we were in a recession-proof business, but after the past recession we realized we might be recession-resistant but we are not recession-proof. The reality for us as hairdressers is, there are only a few things we can do to grow our business. Yet, when we try to figure out the right way to grow our business, sometime we miss the opportunity to grow because we are trying to be right, instead of trying to figure out the best way to grow our business. Why not try all the ways?!

I have been very fortunate in my career. I have worked with some of the best companies in our industry and I have traveled to 5 continents and 17 countries sharing ideas, but it was always the people that made the difference for me. In fact, it was people that made me want to be great.